Humanoid robots will be able to surpass the fastest human in the world in running as early as 2026. This statement was made by the head of one of the robotics companies, WAN CHUAN.
According to him, at the World Games of Humanoid Robots in 2026, we will see robots that will run faster than the world record holder in the 100 meters, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Wan Chuan believes that when humanoid manufacturers conduct specialized optimization for specific scenarios, such as running, the capabilities of robots can significantly improve.
The main challenge for roboticists is the ability of humanoid robots to perceive their environment in real-time and dynamically adjust to maintain balance at high speeds.
The world record in the 100 meters currently stands at 9.58 seconds. It was set by Usain Bolt in 2009. In comparison, the record for 100 meters among humanoid robots, which was set at the first World Games of Humanoid Robots in August 2025, is 21.5 seconds.
